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Saudi Arabia Seeks Developing Judicial Sector with AI

Three foreign law firms were granted licenses to operate in the Kingdom at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Three foreign law firms were granted licenses to operate in the Kingdom at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
    Riyadh – Bandar Al-Mosalam, Mohammed Halal
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Saudi Arabia Seeks Developing Judicial Sector with AI

Three foreign law firms were granted licenses to operate in the Kingdom at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Three foreign law firms were granted licenses to operate in the Kingdom at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In a first, the Saudi government granted three foreign law firms licenses to operate in the Kingdom as it seeks developing the justice sector and anticipates the future of technologies and artificial intelligence in the courts.

This followed Saudi Arabia bringing together several ministers, officials, experts, jurists, and international specialists at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday.

Participants at the conference discussed the importance of digital transformation in accordance with the highest legal guarantees.

Speaking about Saudi Arabia’s digital legal experience, Saudi Justice Minister Walid Al-Samaani revealed that the Kingdom had held more than six million documented video sessions and issued more than two million verdicts from various courts.

Al-Samaani reaffirmed that transparency was ensured in the process.

The minister said that Saudi Arabia had worked under the vision led by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to develop all sectors--including the justice sector-- by supporting digital innovations and launching development projects that enhance the values of justice and transparency, improve user experience and speed up judicial processes.

Al-Samaani stated that the conference aims to enrich knowledge about the future of technologies in accordance with the highest legal guarantees. It also seeks to build justice partnerships, exchange experiences, and develop justice capabilities around the world.

He added that the Kingdom’s legal sector seeks “to raise efficiency of judicial procedures” while working with international experts.

Al-Samaani added that the sector has great opportunities for developing supportive technologies that enhance judicial guarantees.

“The change in digital transformation is a reality. What is an option now, after five years, will not be an option,” stressed the minister.

However, Al-Samaani explained, technology cannot replace humans or human thinking regardless of its advancement.

Themed “Enhancing Access to Justice through the Use of Digital Technologies,” the two-day conference aims to develop the justice sector, experiences, and the exchange of knowledge to facilitate access to justice.

The conference is presenting valuable insights on the best ways to benefit from technology to improve the performance of courts and justice sectors around the world. It also is discussing challenges and finding solutions that improve the quality of services.

Al-Samaani affirmed that digital transformation will become a reality in all sectors. Stressing that the transformation is an opportunity rather than a challenge, the minister said that it will facilitate access to justice and contribute to achieving better results.

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IATA: Air Cargo Demand Up 2.2% Despite Trade Disruptions

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) logo is seen at the International Tourism Trade Fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch 
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) logo is seen at the International Tourism Trade Fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch 
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IATA: Air Cargo Demand Up 2.2% Despite Trade Disruptions

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) logo is seen at the International Tourism Trade Fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch 
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) logo is seen at the International Tourism Trade Fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch 

Total air cargo demand, measured in cargo ton-kilometers (CTK), rose by 2.2% compared to May 2024 levels, up 3.0% for international operations, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Also, capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 2% compared to May 2024, up 2.6% for international operations.

The Association said several factors in the operating environment should be noted, including year-on-year world industrial production, which rose 2.6% in April 2025.

Meanwhile, air cargo volumes grew 6.8% over the same period, outpacing global goods trade growth of 3.8%.

IATA said jet fuel prices in May 2025 were 18.8% lower than the previous year and 4.3% below the previous month.

It noted that global manufacturing contracted in May, with the PMI falling to 49.1, below the 50 mark that signals growth.

New export orders also remained in negative territory at 48, reflecting pressure from recent US trade policy changes, the Association revealed.

Global manufacturing output, measured by the PMI, dropped below the 50 threshold to 49.1 in May, for the first time in 2025.

This, IATA said, was a 6.9% year-on-year decrease and a 2.8% drop compared to April 2025, indicating a slight weakening in global manufacturing production compared to April 2025.

Meanwhile, output declined in May, new export orders grew 1.6 index points from April, to 48. New export orders have been directly affected by the US trade policy changes, which have reshaped global demand dynamics and impacted trade flows.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said the rise of cargo demand globally by 2.2% in May is encouraging news as a 10.7% drop in traffic on the Asia to North America trade lane illustrated the dampening effect of shifting US trade policies.

“Even as these policies evolve, already we can see the air cargo sector’s well-tested resilience helping shippers to accommodate supply chain needs to flexibly hold back, re-route or accelerate deliveries,” he said.

Meanwhile, carriers in the Middle East continued to build momentum, expanding for the second consecutive month. The region recorded a 3.6% year-on-year rise and capacity increased by 4.2%.

Asia Pacific posted the strongest growth, up 8.3% year-on-year while capacity increased by 5.7%.

In return, North American carriers saw a -5.8% year-on-year decrease in growth for air cargo in May, the slowest growth of all regions. Capacity decreased by -3.2%.

European carriers saw 1.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May. Capacity increased 1.5%.

Also, Latin American carriers saw a 3.1% year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in May. Capacity increased 3.5%.

As for African airlines, they saw a 2.1% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in May. Capacity increased by 2.7%.

Trade Lane Growth

A significant decrease in the Asia-North America trade lane was expected and realized as the effect of front-loading faded and changes to the de-minimis exemption on small package shipments were enforced.

As cargo flows reorganized, several route areas responded with surprising growth, IATA said.